I have corn feeders at the base of my bird feeder with fresh corn cobs in ‘em. Works for me.
You can’t win - they are too smart and persistent. You get rid of one and 2 more will show up. Also the bird feeder is imprinted on their brains and they will continue going there every day for at least one breeding cycle even if you stop leaving food for the birds. One method to fool the squirrels is to put the bird feeder in another part of the yard and then just put a few token seeds out on the ground for the squirrels at the original feeder site. It will take a while for the squirrels to realize the feeder has been moved.
Also, birds have plenty of natural food to eat now, so feeding them is almost pointless as they just aren’t that interested in seeds. Putting out fresh water is a better way to help attract birds in the summer. You could see if there are hummingbirds around and feed them. No competition with the squirrels and hummingbirds will sip sugar water even when there are other sources of food.
Tried just about everything including electricity.
Finally bought one of these,
http://www.amazon.com/Homestead-Super—Squirrel-Feeder-Texture/dp/B00005OU5Y/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1432410132&sr=8-8&keywords=bird+feeder+squirrel+proof+pole
Worked great for about 10-12 yrs.
Recently a couple squirrels have actually learned to defeat it.
They slide off the roof and catch the perch as they fall. Funny and inventive.
Even at that they can’t get much as their weight closes off the main supply.
My problem now is the suet blocks.
I’ve converted some squirrels into carnivores. Love the suet block w/ imbedded seeds. Tried cayenne pepper liberally sprinkled on them. So so results.
Was going to recommend the feeder that closes up when sufficient weight is put on the perch-bar, but after seeing some of the other solutions presented on this thread, I’ll defer to them - the closing-feeder doesn’t give near the joy of seeing a startled squirrel flying through the air I’m thinking some of the others do......
Just invest in a Wild Bills Bird Feeder. Not only do squirrels give up, they don’t come back. If they touch the right place on the perches, they get a “static correction” (via a 9v battery good for 6 mo). As a plus, it’s hilarious to see how fast a squirrel will leap off. Chipmunks are especially entertaining. During the next 2 weeks your squirrel traffic will lessen to the point that only the odd itinerant squirrel will ever climb up. And then not for long, ha ha. Change the battery twice a year and your problem is solved.
Haven’t seen many squirrels here in the Tucson area. I think ours are mostly on the Senate side in Washington DC although a few are reported to be congregating around City Hall.
We just picked up a miniature pinscher/Boston terrier mix (20 pounds of insanity) from a shelter. Squirrels don’t DARE step into the yard. Of course baby birds are fair game, too.
Maybe if the squirrels thought there was a dog around they’d stop.
This worked for us.
Squirrel Solutions Seed Saver 200
http://birding.about.com/od/FeederReviews/fr/Squirrel-Solutions-Seed-Saver-200.htm
It’s sold on Amazon
I've got three that come on to my back deck railing: Lucy who will feed from my hand, shorty who has only half a tail and will run away for a distance and return to the seed I put on the rail, and Hoppy who has a deformed hind leg ......
I have a different set up..a mandarin hat clear cover over the top of a Wildbird Tube feeder. They slide down the cover and fall to the patio. I have to reposition the feeder on the limb as they figure out just how to leap for the rungs after days of falls.
I will never totally defeat them but right now it’s working 95% of the time..It’s always obvious when they win.
Feeder seed level tells all.
The videos are a hoot.
Feed the squirrels. It is hard being a squirrel.
Besides they are funny.
Look up Droll Yankee squirrel proof feeders. They work for us. They have a Flipper,whipper and tipper I think they are called.
At first I would go on the front porch and use the pellet gun but they got wise. So crank open the kitchen window and poke the barrel out.
I shot one sitting on the fence, he just fell over, only to hear a voice say : "He look like he been shot"......so ...had to stop that.
What about squirrelbirds?
Please thank your father, on my behalf, for his service. Thanks. God bless.
Claymores.
That or nuke the site from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.
L
(product page at "backyardwildbirds.com")
Deer on the other hand, will dance around on their hind legs to stand up tall enough to lick the birdseed out. I haven't figured out how to defeat that...